Assembly for use in continuously forming one or more lengths of noise attenuating flexible cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers

ABSTRACT

An assembly for use in continuously forming a plurality of lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers. The assembly includes a breaker plate having a conically shaped inner portion and a planar outer portion. A plurality of extrusion dies are disposed in the outer portion wherein each die defines a die hold configuration at its lower end for the extrusion of one or more monofilament polymer strands therethrough, and a drive assembly is provided for rotating each of the dies at a predetermined speed such that upon directing a flow of molten monofilament polymer material onto the breaker plate, the material is directed from the inclined central portion onto the planar outer portion where it is extruded through the rotating dies to create a plurality of twisted strands of polymer material that upon cooling, stretching and heating, define lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.09/943,248, filed Aug. 29, 2001, and entitled “Noise AttenuatingFlexible Cutting Line for Use in Rotary Vegetation Trimmers and Methodof Manufacture,” now U.S. Pat. No. 6,910,277, issued Jun. 28, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved flexible cutting linefor use in rotary trimmers and the method and apparatus employed in themanufacture of such line. Flexible line rotary trimmers are used forcutting vegetation, such as grass and weeds, particularly along walks,fences and flowerbeds and around trees. These devices comprise amotor-driven rotary head which carries one or more lengths ofmonofilament line mounted on a spool within a housing. Extended endportions of each line project from the spool through guides in the sideof the housing. As the head rotates at high speed, the end portions ofthe line are caused to project outwardly from the housing by thecentrifugal forces acting thereon and function as cutting blades. Themajority of trimmer heads presently in use employ two separatemonofilament nylon lines which are both mounted on a common spool andproject from the spool and housing through diametrically opposed guidesin the trimmer housing.

The speeds at which these rotary trimmers rotate is generally within therange of 5,000 to 10,000 rpm. At these speeds, the projecting nylonlines generate considerable noise which most people find quiteobjectionable. In trimmers having electric motors, this noise isconsiderably louder than that generated by the motor. As a result,efforts have been ongoing to develop a suitable cutting line for suchtrimmers that generate less noise during use. In gas-powered trimmers,the drive engines are quite loud. However, the high pitch whine givenoff by the nylon slicing through the air and brush appears to travelfurther than the lower frequency engine noise and is very noticeable topeople not in the immediate proximity of the rotating trimmer head.Thus, a noise attenuating cutting line would also be quite useful ingas-powered trimmers. As legislative pressure continues to forcemanufacturers to develop quieter gas-powered engines for these trimmers,the need for a noise attenuating cutting line will only increase.

While efforts to develop suitable cutting lines for rotary trimmers thatproduce less noise during use have met with some success, the noiseattenuating characteristics of such lines still leaves room forimprovement. In addition, the configurations of such lines generallyrequire secondary processing steps, such as notching or cutting groovesof varying numbers in the line. Tightly twisting a formed filament ofsquare cross-section has also been employed to attenuate noise. However,as a result of such modifications, the surface quality and durability ofthe line is adversely affected and the cost of manufacture issignificantly increased. It therefore would be highly desirable toproduce a flexible cutting line for rotary trimmers that not onlygenerates less noise than those lines currently in use but also is quitedurable and capable of being manufactured without the need for costlysecondary processing. It would also be desirable if the efficiency ofthe line slicing through the air could be sufficiently increased suchthat not only was the noise of the rotating line significantlyattenuated but also the vibration in the rapidly rotating head and thedrag on the drive motor were reduced as well. Such an improvement wouldreduce the strain on the operator and, in the case of gas-poweredtrimmers, reduce fuel consumption and emissions. When used with headspowered by electric motors, such line would reduce the amperage drawn bythe motor and, with battery-powered trimmers, it would extend the lifeof the batteries. The flexible cutting line of the present inventionobtains these results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, the present invention comprises a noise attenuating flexibletrimmer line and its method of manufacture. In a first preferredembodiment, the line is comprised of two or more monofilament strandstwisted together in a molten state such that upon being cooled in aquench bath, reheated, drawn and cured, the strands are continuouslybonded together along their lengths so as to form a single twistedlength of cutting line having a plurality of inwardly directed andgenerally V-shaped troughs terminating in fused seams that extendcontinuously in a helical disposition about and along the length of theline. By increasing the number of twists per unit length of line, theangle formed by the trough relative to the longitudinal axis of the lineis increased and the noise attenuation of the line is enhanced.

The cross-section of the formed line defines a major diameter whereinthe transverse distance across the line is at a maximum and a minordiameter extending through at least one of the troughs in the linewherein the transverse dimension across the line is at a minimum. Themajor diameter defines the line size. While the individual strands canbe extruded in a wide variety of cross-sectional configurations, strandshaving a circular cross-section are preferred. In the cutting line ofthe present invention wherein the two individual strands are circular incross-section prior to bonding, increasing the difference between themajor diameter and minor diameter for each line size, further enhancesthe noise attenuation of the line.

In an alternate embodiment, the line is comprised of a singlemonofilament strand, preferably oblately-shaped in cross-section, thatis twisted while in a molten state such that, upon being cooled in aquench bath, reheated, drawn and cured, the strand defines a twistedlength of cutting line having a slightly out-of-round cross-section thatextends continuously in a helical disposition along the entire length ofthe line. The resultant cutting line, while not as quiet as the line ofthe prior embodiment, does provide significant noise attenuation ascompared to conventional cylindrical line and provides a greater cuttingmass for a given major diameter than a line of the first embodimenthaving the same major diameter.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide animproved monofilament cutting line for use in rotary trimmers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a monofilamentcutting line for rotary trimmers that generates less noise during usethan the cutting lines heretofore available for use in such trimmers.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a noiseattenuating monofilament cutting line for rotary trimmers that iseconomical to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide amonofilament cutting line for rotary trimmers that reduces vibration inthe rotary head during use.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide amonofilament cutting line for rotary trimmers that decreases the drag onthe drive motor during use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a noiseattenuating monofilament cutting line for rotary trimmers that is wearresistant.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide amonofilament noise attenuating cutting line for rotary trimmers that canbe manufactured in a continuous forming process without the need forsecondary processing.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide amanufacturing process and apparatus for continuously formingmonofilament noise attenuating cutting line for rotary trimmers.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first portion of amanufacturing process of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the remainder of themanufacturing process of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die employed inthe production of the preferred embodiment of the noise attenuatingcutting line of the present invention.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the noiseattenuating cutting line of the present invention.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a length of the preferred embodiment ofthe noise attenuating cutting line of the present invention during theforming process.

FIG. 3D is a perspective view of a fully cured length of the preferredembodiment of the noise attenuating cutting line of the presentinvention with the extended end thereof turned outwardly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view of the preferred embodiment of the noiseattenuating cutting line of the present invention illustrating the majorand minor diameters of the line.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the upstream portion of themanufacturing process of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged schematic view of the filter assembly, meteringpump, spin pack assembly, drive assembly and first quench bathillustrating the initial forming steps of the noise attenuating cuttingline in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a partially cut away perspective view of the spin pack anddrive assemblies of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the spin pack assemblyemployed in the manufacturing process of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the spin pack and driveassemblies of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of one of the rotating dies employedin the present invention.

FIG. 11A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die for use inthe manufacturing process of the present invention and illustrating analternative die hole configuration.

FIG. 11B is a sectional view of the embodiment of the noise attenuatingline of the present invention formed using the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 11A.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of a length of noise attenuating cuttingline of the present invention formed with the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 11A and showing the extended end thereof turnedoutwardly.

FIG. 12A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die for use inthe manufacturing process of the present invention and illustrating asecond alternative die hole configuration.

FIG. 12B is a sectional view of the embodiment of the noise attenuatingline of the present invention formed using the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of a length of noise attenuating cuttingline of the present invention formed with the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 12A and showing the extended end thereof turnedoutwardly.

FIG. 13A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die for use inthe manufacturing process of the present invention and illustrating athird alternative die hole configuration.

FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the embodiment of the noise attenuatingline of the present invention formed using the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 13C is a perspective view of a length of noise attenuating cuttingline of the present invention formed with the die hold configurationillustrated in FIG. 13A and showing the extended end thereof turnedoutwardly.

FIG. 14A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die for use inthe manufacturing process of the present invention and illustrating afourth alternative die hole configuration.

FIG. 14B is a sectional view of the embodiment of the noise attenuatingline of the present invention formed using the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 14A.

FIG. 14C is a perspective view of a length of noise attenuating cuttingline of the present invention formed with the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 14A and showing the extended end thereof turnedoutwardly.

FIG. 15A is a bottom plan view of a rotatable extrusion die for use inthe manufacturing process of the present invention employing a singletwisted strand to form the noise attenuating configuration.

FIG. 15B is a sectional view of the embodiment of the noise attenuatingline of the present invention formed using the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is a perspective view of a length of noise attenuating cuttingline of the present invention formed with the die hole configurationillustrated in FIG. 15A and showing the extended end thereof turnedoutwardly.

FIG. 15D is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the line illustrated inFIGS. 15B and 15C.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now in detail to the drawings, the process of the presentinvention is schematically represented in FIGS. 1 and 2. The result ofthe process is a noise attenuating monofilament cutting line 10comprised of two or more monofilament strands continuously bondedtogether in a twisted configuration. In a preferred embodiment of thecutting line 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, two strands 10 a and 10b having cylindrical cross-sections are bonded together in a twisteddisposition about a central axis X so as to form a pair of overlappingcylindrical line portions twisted together to define a single length ofcutting line 10. Line 10 defines a pair of inwardly directed andgenerally V-shaped troughs 12 a and 12 b terminating in fused seams 14 aand 14 b that extend continuously in helical dispositions about andalong the length of the line. It is to be understood that the cuttingline of the present invention could be formed with the same process soas to be comprised of more than two twisted and bonded strands (see,e.g., FIGS. 14B and 14C) or wherein at least one of the strands isnon-circular in cross-section (see, e.g., FIGS. 13B and 13C). Theprocess can also be used to form a noise attenuating cutting line from asingle twisted strand that is preferably slightly oblate incross-section (see, e.g., FIGS. 15B-15D). While these differentembodiments will be discussed later herein, the initial description willbe with reference to the preferred embodiment of the cutting lineillustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D.

Line 10 is preferably constructed of an extrusile nylon copolymer grade6/6,9 material. However, other material compositions used in theformation of conventional rotary trimmer cutting line could also beemployed. In manufacturing the noise attenuating line 10, a supply ofthe nylon copolymer material is disposed in a hopper 20 and selectivelyfed through an extruder 22, a screen changer/filter assembly 24, ametering pump 26, a nozzle 27 and a plurality of rotating extrusion dies40 mounted in a spin pack assembly 28. As the molten material passesthrough the spin pack assembly 28, a plurality of pairs of monofilamentstrands 10 a and 10 b are concurrently extruded and the two strands ineach pair are twisted together by the rotating dies 40 to initiate theformation of a plurality of lengths of cutting line 10. The formedmolten lengths of line 10 are then cooled in a quench bath, stretchedand heated, reheated, cooled and collected as in the formation ofconventional monofilament cutting line.

The spin pack assembly 28 employed in the present invention isillustrated in FIGS. 7-9 and comprises a main housing 30, a pair ofstacked filter screens 32, a breaker plate 34, a spinneret 36, spinnerethousing 38, the rotating dies 40 and a drive assembly 41. The mainhousing 30 of the spin pack assembly defines a material flow channel 42therein for directing the molten nylon material from nozzle 27 to aconical chamber 44 and onto the breaker plate 34. The breaker plate 34defines a centrally disposed inner conical portion 48 projectingupwardly within chamber 44 directly below the outlet end 42′ of flowchannel 42 and an outer annular portion 50 having a plurality ofapertures 52 extending vertically therethrough. The upper surface ofannular portion 50 is flat, horizontally disposed and preferablyrecessed from its perimeter edge portion 54 to accommodate the stackedfilter screens 32 (not shown in FIG. 7). The underside of annularportion 50 is bordered by downwardly projecting annular ribs 56 a and 56b that abut the upper surface of the spinneret 36 and thus define anannular chamber 58 between the upper surface of the spinneret 36 and thelower surface of the breaker plate 34.

The spinneret 36 is disposed within the spinneret housing 38 below thebreaker plate 34 and defines a plurality of cylindrical,equidistantly-spaced, vertical channels 60 that extend through thespinneret and are in fluid communication with the annular chamber 58 andthe apertures 52 in the breaker plate 34. While six such channels areshown in the spinneret 36 illustrated in the drawings, a greater orlesser number of channels could be employed. The spinneret 36 alsodefines an annular shoulder 62 that rests upon the upper annular surface38′ of the spinneret housing. An annular brass sealing member 63 isdisposed between the perimeter edge portions of the main housing 30 andspinneret housing 38. A plurality of locking bolts 64 (only one beingshown) extend through apertures 66 in the spinneret housing 38 and acorresponding plurality of aligned threaded apertures 68 in the lowerportion of the main housing 30 to secure the spinneret housing 38 to themain housing 30 and the components of the spin pack assembly 28 in placeas seen in FIG. 7.

The vertical channels 60 in the spinneret 36 each define a lowerconstant radius portion 60′, an enlarged upper constant radius portion60″ and a horizontal shoulder 61 for supporting an annular bushing 69thereon. Bushings 69 are preferably formed of graphite, are held in apress fitment within the upper portion 60″ of channels 60 and eachsupport one of the extrusion dies 40 thereon (see FIG. 9).

The rotatable extrusion dies 40 each define a cylindrical body portion70, an upper cylindrical radial flange 72, a pair of opposed flatsurfaces 73 adjacent the lower end thereof and a die hole configuration74 in the lower end 76 thereof. In the production of the preferredembodiment of cutting line 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3B-3D, each die 40defines a pair of spaced circular die holes 74′ and 74″ in the lower end76 thereof through which the molten nylon is extruded to form thecutting line 10 (see FIGS. 3A and 10). As will be discussed laterherein, other die hole configurations can be employed to produce othercutting line configurations.

The upper radial flange 72 on the extrusion dies 40 rest on the uppersurface bushings 69 and are substantially flush with the upper surfaceof the spinneret 36 (see FIG. 10). The body portion 70 of each die 40extends through one of the bushings 69 and below the spinneret 36 and issecurely held within a steel drive sleeve 80 below the bushing 69. Inthe embodiment of the drive assembly 41 shown in the drawing, the drivesleeves 80 each define an opening 83 in the lower end thereof shaped soas to receive the lower end portion 76 of one of dies 40 such that theperimeter wall defining opening 83 abuts and mates with the opposed flatsurfaces 73 on the lower end of the die 40 thereby keying the sleeves 80to the dies 40 such that rotation of the sleeves will effectcorresponding rotation of the dies. Other means of securing the sleevesto the dies could also be employed.

Each drive sleeve 80 has a toothed gear 82 secured about the outersurface thereof below the spinneret housing 38. Each of the gears 82 isengaged with at least one of the other gears and one of the gears(designated 82′) additionally engages a toothed drive gear 84. Drivegear 84 is coupled to a drive motor 86 via drive shaft 88 and bevel gear89 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) such that activation of the drive motor willeffect rotation of the drive gear 84, causing each of the gears 82 andattached drive sleeves 80 to rotate. Rotation of the drive sleeves,effects corresponding rotation of the individual dies 40. A pair ofupper and lower brass bushing 85 a and 85 b are mounted in the upper andlower walls 90 a and 90 b of the gearbox housing 90 about each of thedrive cylinders 80 (see FIG. 9). The drive sleeves 80 and gears 82 and84 comprise the drive assembly 41 and are housed within the gearboxhousing 90 below the spinneret housing 38. A five-horsepower servomotorhas been employed as the drive motor 86 to rotate dies 40 at speeds fromabout 750 to 2,500 rpm depending on the desired size and profile of theline.

In the production of cutting line 10, the molten nylon material passesthrough channel 42 in the main housing 30, onto the conical portion 48of the breaker plate 34 and is uniformly distributed over the annularouter portion 50 of the breaker plate. The molten material then passesthrough the apertures 52 in the breaker plate, into the annular chamber58 between the breaker plate and spinneret 36 and through the rotatingdies 40 carried by the spinneret 36. As the molten nylon material isextruded through the die holes 74′ and 74″ in the bottom of each of therotating dies 40, a plurality of pairs of molten elongated cylindricalmonofilament strands are formed and the two strands 10 a and 10 b ineach pair are overlapping and twisted together to define a plurality oflengths of cutting line 10. As seen in FIGS. 3B and 3D, each of theformed lengths of cutting line 10 defines a pair of opposed inwardlydirected and generally V-shaped troughs 12 a and 12 b that terminate infused seams 14 a and 14 b and extend continuously in opposed helicaldispositions about and along the line. The number of the lengths of line10 produced corresponds to the number of dies 40 carried by thespinneret 36.

When the nylon material is extruded through the plurality of rotatingdies 40 to form the corresponding plurality of pairs of twisted moltenstrands, each of the lines 10 formed by each such pair of twistedstrands is directed downwardly from its associated die 40 into a quenchtank 100 filled with water maintained within the range of about 40° to100° F., depending on the material being used, to effect crystallizationof the nylon strands as they pass through the cooler water. If the line10 is being constructed of the preferred nylon copolymer identifiedabove, the water in tank 100 should be maintained within the range of60° to 80° F. For line constructed of this material having smallerdiameters, such as 0.065-0.080 in., the water temperature shouldpreferably be about 70° to 80° F. and most preferably at about 80° F.For larger line having diameters of about 0.095-0.105 in., the watertemperature should preferably be at about 60° to 70° F. and mostpreferably at about 60° F. If the line were being formed of a nylonhomopolymer, the water temperature need not be quite as cool as nylonhomopolymers crystallize more quickly. For example, if the aforesaidnylon homopolymer no. 2065 were being used, the water should bemaintained from about 70° to 100° F. Because this material crystallizesquickly, preferred water temperature of about 70° to 80° F. with linehaving smaller diameters of about 0.065-0.080 in. and most preferablythe temperature should be about 70° F. With line having largerdiameters, such as 0.095-0.105 in., the water temperature should beabout 80° to 100° F. and most preferably about 80° F. A water coolingapparatus (not shown) is employed in tank 100 to maintain the water atthe desired quenching temperature.

Within tank 100, the lines 10 are initially directed downwardly about aseries of rollers 102 that are mounted in a spaced curvilineardisposition in a carriage 104 adjustably mounted in the lower upstreamend of the quench tank 100. The surface of the first roller 102′includes a plurality of raised annular ridges 106 that are spaced apartand define a series of finger guides for aligning the pairs of twistedstrands in a spaced parallel array. The guides could also be formed by aplurality of annular channels in the surface of roller 102′. The pairsof joined strands extend from carriage 104 in parallel alignmentproximate the bottom of tank 100 and about a second plurality of rollers108 mounted on a second carriage 110. The last roller 108′ on carriage110 is also preferably provided with a plurality of guides 112 similarto guides 106 on roller 102′. From carriage 110, the pairs of fusedstrands are directed outwardly of the quench tank 100, and through asponge assembly 114 that strips excess water from the fused strands andis provided with a comb guide to maintain the alignment of the nowformed lines 10 to a first roll stand 116. Roll stand 116 pulls theparallel array of the forming lines 10 from the extrusion dies 40through the quench bath 100 and cooperates with a second roll stand 118and a third roll stand 120 to move the lengths of line 10 through theforming process as will be explained.

Roll stand 116 comprises an elevated driver roller 122 and a pinchroller 124 for pulling the joined strands upwardly from tank 100, andtwo rows of vertically and laterally spaced additional drive rollers 126which cooperate with rollers 122 and 124 to pull the pairs of joinedstrands through the quench bath. The drive rollers in each of the threeroll stands are preferably constructed with stainless steel outersurfaces, while the pinch rollers preferably have a hard rubber surfaceto provide the desired gripping and durability characteristics. As seenin FIGS. 1 and 6, the parallel array of spaced lines 10 extend from tank100 between driver roller 122 and pinch roller 124, downwardly therefromand about the two rows of drive rollers 126 and laterally therefrom intoa first oven 128. The second roll stand 118 is disposed downstream ofoven 128 and is comprised of two rows of vertically and laterally spaceddrive rollers 130 and a pinch roller 131. Roll stand 118 pulls theparallel array of lines 10 from the first roll stand 116 and throughoven 128.

To obtain the desired physical properties in line 10, it is importantboth to stretch the line while it is being heated in oven 128 and toobtain the desired degree of crystallization of the nylon polymermaterial prior to heating and stretching. Stretching the line during theheating step provides parallel orientation of the molecular structurewithin the line 10 and is achieved by providing a differential betweenthe rotational velocities of the drive rollers 122 and 126 in the firstroll stand 116 and the drive rollers 130 in the second roll stand 118.All of the drive rollers in the three roll stands are preferably of thesame size. Accordingly, by rotating the drive rollers 130 in the secondroll stand 118 more rapidly than the drive rollers 122 and 126 in thefirst roll stand 116, the lines 10 are stretched as they are pulledthrough oven 128.

The amount of crystallization which occurs in the molten strands priorto heating and stretching is a function of the particular material beingused, the temperature of the quench water and the quench time (timeduring which the line is submerged in the quench tank). The quench timedepends on the velocity at which the lines are pulled through the tankand the length of underwater travel. From a commercial standpoint, it isdesirable to maximize line output per unit time. This is preferablyachieved in the present invention by extending the length of the quenchtank 100 which allows the roll stands to operate at higher rotationalvelocities without decreasing quench time. It has also been found to bedesirable to operate the roll stands at constant velocities and thusvariations in the line material can be most easily accommodated byvariations in the temperature of the quench water.

The vertical spacing the lower face of the extrusion dies 40 in the spinpack assembly 28 and the surface of the water in tank 100, which isreferred to as the air gap, is from 1.5 to 3.0 in. depending on theviscosity of the material being used, the diameter of the individualstrands being extruded and the drawdown ratios employed. The larger thediameter of the strands being formed and the less the drawdown ratio,the shorter the air gap. More viscous melts require larger air gaps. Themelt temperature is about 420° to 480° F. and the quench tank 100 isabout ten feet in length by three feet in depth. As the melt passesthrough the recommended air gap, the drive assembly 41 is twisting themolten strands approximate 3 to 3-½ times tighter than actually desired.Because of drawdown, the greater number of twists are needed in thefirst stage of the process than in the final product. At this point inthe process, the strands are twisted from approximately 45 to 80 twistsper foot. The tightly twisted strands will undergo a diameter reduction,melt draw, until they contact the quench water. FIG. 3C illustrates theconfiguration of the preferred embodiment of cutting line 10 as itpasses through quench tank 100.

The rotational velocity of the drive rollers in the first roll stand 116is 38.4 feet per minute for 0.095 diameter line. For different sizedline, this speed could vary somewhat. As the diameter of the linedecreases, line speed will increase. To provide the proper orientationof the molecular structure of the two stands in each length of line 10so as to achieve the desired line length strength and durabilitycharacteristics, oven 128 is maintained at about 580° F. and the ratioof the relative rotational speeds of the drive rollers 130 in the secondroll stand 118 to the speed of the drive rollers 122 and 126 in thefirst roll stand 116 is about 3.15 to 1. Accordingly, the rotationalspeed of the drive rollers 122 and 126 in the second roll stand 118 inthe present example is 121.2 feet per minute. The tightly twistedstrands are now necked down in diameter size and the twists arestretched to 15 to 25 twists per foot. The final appearance of thepreferred embodiment of the cutting line 10 is illustrated in FIG. 3D.

Orienting the strands by aforesaid stretching and heating placesconsiderable stress on the strands. To provide the desired strength anddurability in the final product, it is desirable to relieve this stress.This is accomplished in the present invention by subjecting the pairs ofbonded strands 10 a and 10 b to a second heating step. In the secondheating step, however, the joined strands are in a relaxed state asopposed to being stretched during the first heating step. To provide thesecond heating step, a second oven 132 is disposed downstream of thesecond roll stand 118. The third roll stand 120 is positioned downstreamof the second oven 132 to pull the lengths of line 10 through oven 132.Roll stand 120 preferably comprises a pinch roller 134 and three driverollers 136 vertically and horizontally spaced apart as shown in FIG. 2.To pull the lines 10 through oven 132 in a relaxed state, the driverollers of roll stand 120 are rotated at a rate of about two to threepercent slower than the drive rollers 130 of the second roll stand 118.The second oven 132 is maintained at a slightly lower temperature thanoven 128, preferably about 540° F.

A second quench tank 138 is disposed downstream of the third roll stand120 to moisten the monofilament line prior to spooling as spooled lineis inhibited from absorbing the moisture in the air which is desirablein freshly extruded nylon line from a strength standpoint. A suitableline guide 140 is provided in the lower portion of quench tank 138 todefine an underwater path for the line through tank 138. The water intank 138 is maintained at about the same temperature as the water intank 100 to cool the formed line prior to spooling. Finally, aconventional spooling assembly 142 is deployed in the assembly linedownstream of quench tank 138 wherein each of the lines 10 formed by theaforesaid process are individually wrapped about separate spools 144 forstorage and shipment. In the example set forth above, six separatespools would be wound with line 10 by assembly 142.

In the production of cutting line 10, the size and spacing of the dieholes 74′ and 74″ depend on the desired size and configuration of thecutting line 10. As in the extrusion of conventional single-strandmonofilament line, the diameters of the individual die holes should beat least 50% greater than the desired final strand diameter. Examples ofrelative diameter size are shown in the following table:

Strand Die Hole Size (in.) Size (in.) .065 .176 .080 .176 .095 .260 .105.260 .130 .281Variations in the individual strand size are obtained with a givendiameter hole in the die, as seen above, by regulating the metering pump26 and the line speed as in the manufacture of conventionalsingle-strand monofilament line. Thus, by varying the size and spacingbetween the two die holes 74′ and 74″ and adjusting the metering pump26, the size of the individual extruded strands 10 a and 10 b and thesize and cross-sectional configuration of the line 10 formed by thebonding of the two strands can be varied. By varying the tightness ofthe twists in line 10, the angle of the helixes defined by the twotroughs 12 a and 12 b in the line can be varied. Both thecross-sectional configuration of the line and the angles of helixesdefined by the troughs therein contribute to the noise attenuationcharacteristics of the cutting line 10.

FIG. 4 illustrates an enlarged end view of the preferred embodiment ofthe cutting line 10 shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D identifying the centralaxis X and the major and minor diameters of the cutting line. As seen inFIG. 4, the cutting line 10 defines a major diameter D and a minordiameter d. The term major diameter as used herein defines the largesdiameter across the cutting line as measured from crest to crest. Thus,the major diameter effectively defines the size of the cutting line andis the figure used in describing the diameter of the line. The termminor diameter as used herein is the smallest diameter across the lineas measured from seam to seam. Both the major and minor diameters passthrough the central longitudinal axis X of the cutting line 10.

Different die hole configurations and spacings will produce differentcross-sectional line configurations and will vary the noise attenuatingcharacteristics of the cutting line. For example, the preferredembodiment of cutting line 10 illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 3D is producedusing the die hole configuration illustrated in FIG. 3A. Using adiameter of 0.140 in. for die holes 74′ and 74″ and a spacing betweenthe two die holes of 0.0625 in., a cutting line 10 was produced having amajor diameter D of 0.095 in. and a minor diameter d of 0.078 in. Theline 10 defined 20 twists per linear foot. In a test conducted at alocation having a background noise level of 58.8 decibels, the noiselevel of a rotary trimmer head driven by an electronic motor at a speedof 5,000 rpm with no load (without any cutting line) was measured at71.3 decibels. Using the above-described preferred embodiment of cuttingline 10, the noise level measured 88.3 decibels. Using conventionalround monofilament line having a diameter of 0.095 in. (typical in lawnand garden applications), the noise level measured 101.3 decibels.

For a second test, the two die holes 74′ and 74″ were moved togetherinto an overlapping relationship so as to effectively form a single diehole having the configuration illustrated in FIG. 11A. By adjusting themetering pump, a cutting line was produced having the original 0.095 in.major diameter D and an increased, albeit unmeasured, minor diameter das seen in FIG. 11B. The line defined 20 twists per linear foot. Themeasured decibel level of that line was 93.1.

In a third test, a connecting channel was added between the two spaceddie holes illustrated in FIG. 3A. The resultant die hole configurationis seen in FIG. 12A. Using the die hole configuration illustrated inFIG. 12A and rotating the die so that the bonded strands extrudedtherethrough define 20 twists per linear foot, the line illustrated inFIGS. 12B and 12C was produced. The line also had a major diameter of0.095 in. Using the same testing parameters, that line generated adecibel reading of 89.3.

In a fourth test using the same die hole configuration illustrated inFIG. 3A, the metering pump 26 and drive assembly 41 were adjusted so asto produce a length of cutting line having a major diameter of 0.090in., a minor diameter of 0.070 in. and defining 25 twists per linearfoot. Using the same test parameters, the decibel reading was reduced to87.7. While this line was quieter than the 0.095 in. diameter line ofthe first test, reducing the size of the line will cause the line towear out more quickly and reducing its mass will adversely affect itscutting ability.

From such tests, it is apparent that with the preferred embodiment ofline 10, which is formed of two individual strands, circular incross-section and bonded together as previously described, increasingthe difference between the major diameter and minor diameter for a givenline size enhances the noise attenuation of the line. However, if thisdifference in relative diameters is achieved through a significant lossof mass, the benefit of increased noise attenuation is offset by adecrease in cutting ability as well as an increase in wear rate. Thisrelative difference in major and minor diameters can be expressed as apercentage of line size as follows:

$\frac{D - d}{D}.$For the preferred embodiment of the flexible cutting line of the presentinvention in 0.095 in. diameter size, this relative difference indiameters is 0.095-0.078/0.095, which equals 0.1789 or 17.89%. For thisand other line sizes having the configuration of the preferredembodiment of line 10, this relative difference in diameters should bewithin the range of about 0.17 to 0.20 or 17-20%. Line exhibiting apercentage outside this range will suffer from either reduced noiseattenuation or from diminished cutting ability.

The addition of a thin web portion connecting the two die holes, as seenin FIG. 12A, also appears to detract from the noise attenuatingcharacteristics of the resultant line, albeit only slightly. It isbelieved that the material passing through the channel between the twodie holes flows into the seam or trough areas of the line as the twomolten strands are twisted together, increasing slightly the minordiameter of the line and detracting slightly from the noise attenuatingcharacteristics of the line.

FIGS. 14B and 14C illustrate an example of cutting line formed by threestrands twisted and bonded together about and along the central axis Xof the line. The particular line illustrated therein was produced fromthe die hole configuration illustrated in FIG. 14A through which threegenerally teardrop-shaped molten strands joined at their inner ends areextruded and twisted together. The strands in the formed line areequiangularly spaced about axis X to balance the line. In a test thatwas run with 0.095 in. diameter line having the configurationillustrated in FIGS. 14B and 14C and defining 20 twists per linear foot,a decibel reading of 90.8 was measured. The drop in noise attenuationexhibited by the line as compared to the attenuation exhibited by theline of FIGS. 3B and 3D is believed to result from the relativelysharper edges created by the formed teardrop shaped strands ascontrasted with the rounded surfaces of the preferred embodiment.

The die hole configurations employed in the present invention includethe preferred configuration of totally separate die holes (see, e.g.,FIG. 3A), interconnected die holes wherein the holes are connected bythin web portions (see, e.g., FIG. 12A) or are connected at adjacentedge portions (see, e.g., FIGS. 13A and 14A), and die holes that overlapto the extent that a single die hole is formed which itself defines amajor and minor axis so as to impart a corresponding noise attenuatingconfiguration to the line when employed in the process of the presentinvention (see, e.g., FIG. 11A). For uniformity of description, themonofilament material being extruded through the enlarged hole portionsof each of such die hole configurations forms what is referred herein toas a strand whether or not the strands formed by each die are actuallyseparated as they exit the die, interconnected or overlapping. Inaddition, while only a single multi-strand configuration has beenillustrated in the drawings (FIGS. 14A-14C), other such configurationscould be produced in accordance with the present invention. It should benoted that such a line configuration does not have major and minordiameters as those terms are defined herein. The effective size of lineformed in accordance with the present invention with more than twostrands would be the diameter of the smallest circle C (see FIG. 14B)that circumscribes the line. Thus, such a line has less mass for a givenline size than either conventional line or the preferred embodiment ofthe new noise attenuating line. Accordingly, for certain applications inwhich such multi-strand noise attenuating line is employed, it may benecessary to use somewhat oversized line. Thus, while such line may benoticeably quieter than conventional line, the two-strand line of thepresent invention exhibits superior performance and is preferred. Theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13B and 13C is merely illustrative ofdifferent line configurations that can be provided in accordance withthe present invention. It should also be noted that different die holeconfigurations can be concurrently employed in different dies in thepresent invention to simultaneously produce one or more cutting lines ofa different size and/or configuration.

Increasing the number of twists in the cutting line per linear foot alsoenhances the noise attenuating characteristics of the cutting line ofthe present invention. Preliminary testing has indicated that the bondedstrands in the cutting line of the present invention should define atleast 15 twists per linear foot of line and, more preferably, at least20 to 25 twists per linear foot.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS.15A-15D. In this embodiment, unlike the prior embodiments, line 10 isformed from a single strand of molten material twisted about its owncentral axis X. The single strand is preferably formed of the samematerials as the above-discussed embodiments but is extruded through adie 200 having a single hole configuration as illustrated in FIG. 15A.The die 200 differs from dies 40 in that it only defines a singleaperture therein that extrudes a single strand. Otherwise, die 200 isconfigured as dies 40 and is held and rotated in the spinneret 36 in thesame manner as dies 40. The preferred hole configuration for die 200 isthat of a oblate spheroid in cross-section (i.e., resembling that of afootball) as seen in FIG. 15A.

As the molten material is extruded through the rotating die 200 andpasses through the same above-described cooling, stretching and heatingprocess, the resultant line 202 is formed of a single strand that isslightly out-of-round (i.e., slightly oblate) (see FIG. 15D) and twistedabout its own central axis X. By way of example, the ratio or the minordiameter d of line 202 to the major diameter D, which defines theeffective size (diameter) of the line, has been measured at 1:1.18.Other die hole shapes could be employed in die 200 that when rotatedduring extrusion, would provide a strand having an out-of-roundcross-section that upon curing, will produce a noise attenuating cuttingline. As with cutting line 10, line 202 should define at least 15 twistsper linear foot of line and, more preferably, at least 20 to 25 twistsper linear foot. Unlike line 10, line 202 does not define opposedtroughs.

As a result of their differences in configuration, a length of cuttingline 10 having a given major diameter D formed by twisting together twomolten strands will have less mass than an equal length of line 202 ofthe same major diameter. This difference is apparent from comparing theline cross-sections of the lines in FIGS. 3B and 15B. As a result, line202 will have superior vegetation cutting ability than line 10 of thesame major diameter. However, because of their differences incross-sectional configuration, line 202 will not have the same degree ofnoise attenuation as the line formed from two strands. Thus, while thisembodiment of the invention does not quite achieve the noise attenuationlevels exhibited by similarly sized line formed of two twisted moltenstrands, it provides excellent cutting ability and simplifiesproduction, particularly during startup in that one does not have tocoordinate the joining together of two strands and is quieter thanconventional cutting line.

While single-strand twisted cutting line has been manufactured in thepast to attenuate the noise generated by the line during use, such linewas produced by means of one or more secondary processes. Following theextrusion of a single strand and the cooling of the forming line, theline is subjected to a cutting or reheating and twisting step to createa twisted configuration. Such a process is both time-consuming andexpensive. By utilizing a rotating die so as to twist the strand whilestill in a molten state, Applicant has provided a very economic processfor producing a single-strand cutting line which exhibits noiseattenuation and excellent cutting properties. By forming the line bymeans of twisting together two separate molten strands, as in theformation of line 10 of the prior embodiment, superior noise attenuationis achieved without the loss of sufficient mass to significantly impairthe cutting ability of the line.

These and other changes and modifications may be made in carrying outthe present invention without departing from the spirit and scopethereof. Insofar as these changes and modifications are within thepurview of the appended claims, they are to be considered as part of thepresent invention.

1. An assembly for use in continuously forming a plurality of lengths offlexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetationtrimmers comprised of at least two strands of monofilament bondedtogether in a twisted disposition, said assembly comprising: a housinghaving a chamber therein; a channel disposed within said housing abovesaid chamber adapted for fluid communication with a source of moltenmonofilament for directing molten monofilament to said chamber; abreaker plate disposed in a lower portion of said chamber, said platedefining an upwardly projecting conical inner portion and asubstantially planar outer portion, said inner portion directing moltenmonofilament from said channel downwardly and outwardly onto said outerportion; a plurality of extrusion dies disposed in said outer portion ofsaid breaker plate, each of said dies defining a die hole configurationin the lower end thereof for the extrusion of at least two strands ofmolten monofilament therethrough; and a drive assembly for rotating eachof said dies at a speed to effect a twisting together of the moltenstrands of monofilament being extruded through each of said dies.
 2. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein said drive assembly is operatively connectedto said dies so as to effect synchronous rotation of each of said diesat said speed whereby an equal number of twists per foot in the lengthsof formed cutting line is defined.
 3. The assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid drive assembly comprises a plurality of drive cylinders, each ofsaid cylinders engaging one of said dies, a plurality of gears, each ofsaid gears being operatively connected to one of said drive cylindersand at least one of the other gears, and a drive motor operativelyconnected to one of said gears for synchronously rotating all of saidgears whereby said dies are caused to undergo synchronous rotation. 4.The assembly of claim 3 wherein each of said dies has elongated bodyportion defining a drive engagement surface, said die hole configurationbeing disposed in a lower extended end of said body portion and whereineach of said drive cylinders defines an interior drive engagementsurface abutting a drive engagement surface on one of said dies so thatsynchronous rotation of said drive cylinders effects synchronousrotation of said dies.
 5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said die holeconfiguration in each of said dies comprises a pair of circular holes ofequal diameter spaced apart a distance less than said diameter.
 6. Theassembly of claim 1 wherein said die hole configuration in each of saiddies comprises a plurality of holes connected together at adjacent edgeportions.
 7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein said die hole configurationin each of said dies comprises a single hole having the configuration ofthe cross-section of an oblate spheroid.
 8. The assembly of claim 1wherein said die hole configuration in each of said dies comprises apair of holes connected together by a thin web portion.
 9. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein the die hole configuration in at least one of saiddies is different from the die hole configuration in at least one of theother of said dies.
 10. The assembly of claim 5 wherein said driveassembly is operatively connected to said dies so as to effectsynchronous rotation of each of said dies at said speed whereby an equalnumber of twists per foot in the lengths of formed cutting line isdefined.
 11. The assembly of claim 6 wherein said drive assembly isoperatively connected to said dies so as to effect synchronous rotationof each of said dies at said speed whereby an equal number of twists perfoot in the lengths of formed cutting line is defined.
 12. The assemblyof claim 7 wherein said drive assembly is operatively connected to saiddies so as to effect synchronous rotation of each of said dies at saidspeed whereby an equal number of twists per foot in the lengths offormed cutting line is defined.
 13. The assembly of claim 8 wherein saiddrive assembly is operatively connected to said dies so as to effectsynchronous rotation of each of said dies at said speed whereby an equalnumber of twists per foot in the lengths of formed cutting line isdefined.
 14. The assembly of claim 9 wherein said drive assembly isoperatively connected to said dies so as to effect synchronous rotationof each of said dies at said speed whereby an equal number of twists perfoot in the lengths of formed cutting line is defined.
 15. The assemblyof claim 1 wherein said drive assembly comprises a planetary gearassembly operatively connected to said extrusion dies for synchronouslyrotating each of said dies at said speed.
 16. The assembly of claim 15wherein said die hole configuration in each of said dies comprises apair of circular holes of equal diameter spaced apart a distance lessthan said diameter.
 17. The assembly of claim 15 wherein said die holeconfiguration in each of said dies comprises a pair of holes connectedtogether at adjacent edge portions.
 18. The assembly of claim 15 whereinsaid die hole configuration in each of said dies comprises a pair ofholes connected together by a thin web portion.
 19. The assembly ofclaim 15 wherein the die hole configuration in at least one of said diesis different from the die hole configuration in at least one of theother of said dies.
 20. An assembly for use in continuously forming aplurality of lengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line for usein rotary vegetation trimmers comprised of one or more twisted strandsof monofilament, said assembly comprising: a housing having a chambertherein; a channel disposed within said housing above said chamberadapted for fluid communication with a source of molten monofilament fordirecting molten monofilament to said chamber; a breaker plate disposedin a lower portion of said chamber, said plate defining an upwardlyprojecting conical inner portion and a substantially planar outerportion, said inner portion directing molten monofilament from saidchannel downwardly and outwardly onto said outer portion; a plurality ofextrusion dies disposed in said outer portion of said breaker plate,each of said dies defines defining a die hole configuration in the lowerend thereof for the extrusion of one or more strands of moltenmonofilament therethrough; and a drive assembly for rotating each ofsaid dies at a speed to effect a twisting of the molten strand orstrands of monofilament being extruded through each of said dies. 21.The assembly of claim 20 wherein said drive assembly is operativelyconnected to said dies so as to effect synchronous rotation of each ofsaid dies at said speed whereby an equal number of twists per foot inthe lengths of formed cutting line is defined.
 22. The assembly of claim20 wherein said drive assembly comprises a plurality of drive cylinders,each of said cylinders engaging one of said dies, a plurality of gears,each of said gears being operatively connected to one of said drivecylinders and at least one of the other gears, and a drive motoroperatively connected to one of said gears for synchronously rotatingall of said gears whereby said dies are caused to undergo synchronousrotation.
 23. The assembly of claim 22 wherein each of said dies haselongated body portion defining a drive engagement surface, said diehole configuration being disposed in a lower extended end of said bodyportion and wherein each of said drive cylinders defines an interiordrive engagement surface abutting a drive engagement surface on one ofsaid dies so that synchronous rotation of said drive cylinders effectssynchronous rotation of said dies.
 24. The assembly of claim 20 whereinsaid die hole configuration in each of said dies comprises a pair ofcircular holes of equal diameter spaced apart a distance less than saiddiameter.
 25. The assembly of claim 24 wherein said drive assembly isoperatively connected to said dies so as to effect synchronous rotationof each of said dies at said speed whereby an equal number of twists perfoot in the lengths of formed cutting line is defined.
 26. The assemblyof claim 20 wherein said die hole configuration in each of said diescomprises a single hole having the configuration of the cross-section ofan oblate spheroid.
 27. The assembly of claim 26 wherein said driveassembly is operatively connected to said dies so as to effectsynchronous rotation of each of said dies at said speed whereby an equalnumber of twists per foot in the lengths of formed cutting line isdefined.
 28. An assembly for use in continuously forming a plurality oflengths of flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotaryvegetation trimmers comprised of one or more twisted strands ofmonofilament, said assembly comprising: a housing having a chambertherein; a breaker plate disposed in said chamber; a channel disposedwithin said housing adapted for fluid communication with a source ofmolten monofilament and an upper portion of said chamber for directingmolten monofilament to said chamber above said breaker plate, said platedefining an inclined inner portion and a substantially planar outerportion, said inclined inner portion being of a conical configurationprojecting upwardly from said outer portion and directing moltenmonofilament from said channel onto said outer portion; a plurality ofextrusion dies disposed in said outer portion of said breaker plate,each of said dies defining a die hole configuration in the lower endthereof for the extrusion of one or more strands of molten monofilamenttherethrough; and a drive assembly for rotating each of said dies toeffect a twisting of the molten strand or strands of monofilament beingextruded through each of said dies; a cooling Quench bath disposed belowsaid dies; a guide assembly mounted in said Quench bath for receivingsaid one or more twisted molten strands of monofilament from said diesand directing said strands through said bath; and a plurality of driverollers for pulling said strands through said bath so as to effectsufficient crystallization of said strands such that upon said strandsbeing pulled from said bath, heated and stretched, said strands willretain a twisted configuration.
 29. The assembly of claim 28 whereinsaid drive assembly comprises a plurality of drive cylinders, each ofsaid cylinders engaging one of said dies, a plurality of gears, each ofsaid gears being operatively connected to one of said drive cylindersand at least one of the other gears, and a drive motor operativelyconnected to one of said gears for synchronously rotating all of saidgears whereby said dies are caused to undergo synchronous rotation.